One of the deeply held myths about how managers achieve success is that
They are determined and quick in making decisions. the literature of
Management has created a macho image about making tough decisions quickly.
This is not a true picture of successful managers. They know it is prudent to postpone the
big decisions for as long as possible.
The experienced manager knows that there is a price, some degree of finality.
attached to any decision. Therefore, you will develop as many options as possible for
the truly important issues that need to be resolved and postpone critical decision making
while possible. This allows you to move in a changing environment of facts,
pressures and opportunities. It also paves the way for responding to criticism.
and guessers saying, “Yes, we consider all options as long as
could.”
Most of us hear at Mother’s knee, “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do.”
today.” The most successful decision makers often break that rule.
When he was Vice President of the United States, Aaron Burr stood up to the
puritanical admonition when he counseled: “Never do today what can be put off until
tomorrow. The delay may shed a clearer light on what is best to do.”
Some 100 years later, President Calvin Coolidge declared: “Four-fifths of all our
The problems of this life would disappear if we just sat down and kept still.”
TIME SOLVES MANY PROBLEMS
Managers will find that in time all problems do not require answers. the simple
the passage of time will solve many problems. They can just pass away or respond
themselves. Also, good answers are not always immediately available.
We can all learn from the parable of two men sentenced to death by the king.
Upon learning of his fate, one man was terrified, but the other remained calm.
The calm one said: “Your Majesty, if you let us live, I will teach your horse to fly.”
The King considered the proposal for a moment and replied: “You have one year
to teach my horse to fly. If he succeeds, their lives will be spared; but if not, you
will be executed.”
After the two condemned men left the king’s presence, the terrified
He asked his partner, “Why did you do that? You can’t teach a horse to fly.
You have only prolonged the inevitable. Now we have a whole year to fear our
deceased.”
“Well,” replied the calm one, “four things can happen in a year. The horse could
die. The King might change his mind. He could die. Or the horse could learn to
fly.”
The wise careerist will recognize that he must use common sense in applying
positive procrastination. It’s like salt. A little bit brings cooking to its best; also
much spoils everything. Procrastination should never be used as an excuse for action.
Common sense says that procrastination in decision making can be very valuable.
management tool, as long as it is conscious and controlled.
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